Thomas Fitzgerald

Political Writer

Republican Mitt Romney, already in Philadelphia to raise campaign cash, is planning a public rally Friday at Valley Forge Military Academy & College in suburban Wayne.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania swing will be Romney's first visit to the state since mid July, when he held a rally at a a shale-drilling related business in Westmoreland County coupled with a fundraiser in Pittsburgh.

Romney's return comes amid speculation that Pennsyvlania has fallen off his campaign's target list as a top-tier battelground state. Recent polls have show President Obama with a lead in the low double digits in the state, though top Republicans say their own polling has the race much closer and not they have not given up being competitive.

Friday's event at the military school is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., with the doors opening at 9:30 a.m., Republicans said. People interested in attending are asked to RSVP at www.mittromney.com/states/Pennsylvania.